SWANTON Morley CC held the annual president's game against the club 11. The president's 11 was skippered by Ricky Forder and the club 11 by Jonny Bidewell.

SWANTON Morley CC held the annual president's game against the club 11.

The president's 11 was skippered by Ricky Forder and the club 11 by Jonny Bidewell. On a cold and windy afternoon skipper Ricky Forder won the toss and elected to bat on a good wicket.

Rob Thurley and Gary Forder opened the batting and got off to a solid start, putting on 35 before Soren Gauntlet claimed his first wicket of the day, dismissing Thurley for 11. This then brought Nick Barker to the crease, who shared a brief partnership of 23 with Forder, before Forder was brilliantly caught by wicket keeper Bidewell off the bowling of Duncan Appleby.

At this stage Swanton just had their noses in front, but when Wayne McKinney picked up two quick wickets, Andy Lawrence (8) and skipper and danger man Ricky Forder (1), Swanton were well in the driving seat. With just 10 overs left, the Presidents were 109 for four.

At this point Barker and Simon Whitney were beginning to build a good and dangerous partnership, but when Daniel Lake bowled Nick Barker (50) it brought a partnership of 50 to an end. Lake then went on to pick up Whitney (17) caught and bowled in the same over.

With just six overs left, Swanton knew good bowling would put them in a good position. More good bowling from Gauntlet dismissed Donny Forder (2) and good fielding by Neil Horton saw Barry Branford (0) run out, Swanton had held the president's team to 149 for eight off their 40 overs with Barry Green finishing nine not out and G Butters two not out.

The pick of Swanton's bowlers were Gauntlet (2 for 18), McKinney (2 for 32), Lake (2 for 16), and Appleby (1 for 13). There was also good bowling by opener Nick Ritcher, who on this occasion did not pick up a wicket.

During the tea interval and the remainder of the game Mike Balaam ran a successful raffle, raising �124.

Stuart Whitney and Damien Ryan took to the middle to set about the run chase.

The pair got off to a good start, putting on 27 for the first wicket before Ryan (9) was bowled. This brought Nathan Raines to the crease. With a new partner, Whitney continued to knock the runs off and looked to be doing it with ease until a mix-up between the pair resulted in Raines (1) being run out.

Things then got worse for Swanton when skipper and danger man Bidewell was brilliantly caught by wicket keeper Gary Forder off the bowling of Thurley, first ball. Thankfully for Swanton Whitney carried on his way and Gary Whiteside carried on his good form of the season.

With Swanton needing 36 to win, Whitney (71) was caught off the bowling of Donny Forder, bringing Lake to the crease, who along with Whiteside knocked the runs off in the 32nd over to give the club 11 a good win. Whiteside finished 32no and Lake 21no.